on the Birds of Chili. 25 



The nest is placed iu the grass or in a low bush near the 

 ground. The average number of eggs is from four to five, 

 but I noticed on various occasions that there was a difference 

 of size in the eggs, as if two females had laid in the same nest. 

 One especially I noted as containing four eggs, two of which 

 were almost half as large again as the other two, though they 

 were all of a more or less uniform colour and similarly spotted. 

 As the birds are of a most sociable and gregarious disposition, 

 it may be that the females occasionally share nests. 



The young are of a plain brown colour on leaving the nest. 

 I chanced one day to capture one while walking along a 

 hedgerow; it was much smaller than an adult, but apparently 

 quite independent, though when I placed it in a cage I had 

 to train it to eat. At first I held it in one hand and gave 

 it some soaked bread on the top of the first finger of my 

 other hand. It soon learnt to eat the bread, which it did in 

 a nibbling fashion, much as a mouse or small rodent would. 

 It did not seem at all afraid of being handled, and soon learnt 

 to feed by itself in a cage, but unfortunately it was attacked 

 with the pip, to which it soon succumbed. I fancy they could 

 be readily kept in confinement ; but curiously I never saw it 

 iu the possession of any local bird-fanciers, though I noticed 

 specimens of most of the other Finches in aviaries in Central 

 Chili. 



17. Agel^us thilius (Mol.). 



Agelmus thilius, Sclater, B. M. C. xi. p. 343. 



(Hacienda Mansel and Arauco.) 



This species is found from Central Chili to Valdivia, but 

 may be regarded as properly belonging to the central 

 provinces, where it is everywhere known as the " Trile " or 

 *' Chili.^' I have been informed on good authority that Chili 

 was named after the cry of these birds, which were noticed 

 by the Spanish pioneers to be specially abundant about 

 swamps and sedges, then more numerous than now. I believe 

 this theory is also supported by Dr. PhiHppi. 



This bird occurs invariably about reed-beds and swamps, 

 streams, lakes, and rivers, and is found iu all such localities 



